HENNIKER, N.H. – Senior team captain Haylee Owen netted the first hat trick in Keene State College women's ice hockey program history as she propelled KSC to a 5-3 comeback win over New England College to secure the weekend sweep over the Pilgrims. 

Records

• Keene State: 7-4
• NEC: 0-11

How it Happened
Due to the Owls being late to taking the ice to open the game, NEC started the period on a two-minute power play. Kate Devlin capitalized on the extra skater opportunity as she netted a goal off a rebound to put the Pilgrims up one 1:26 into the quarter. KSC had their own power play 33 seconds later, but they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, like NEC, as Lallier-Whissell saved both shots on goal for the Owls. 6:35 into the period, NEC tacked on another goal as Greta Grant put the Pilgrims up a pair. Both teams traded shots on goal that were saved by Lallier-Whissell and KSC's starting goaltender, Makenna Montgomery over the next few minutes, and eventually KSC had another power play opportunity. Lallier-Whissell wouldn't allow the Owls to cut NEC's lead in half as she saved both of KSC's shots and helped the Pilgrims kill off the penalty. Neither team scored the remainder of the period as Lallier-Whissell made four more saves and Montgomery made five to limit the Pilgrim's lead to a two heading into the second.
 
KSC got on the board 2:44 into the quarter as Ellie Patrick won an offensive zone faceoff, which led to Brianna Finke flicking the puck over Lallier-Whissell's shoulder on the near-side post to cut the lead to one for the Pilgrims. Just 11 seconds later, KSC tacked on another goal to tie the game up at two apiece. Finke skated past the crease with the puck, which drew Lallier-Whissell out of the goal, where Finke crossed it to an open Haylee Owen, who one-timed it into the open net for the Owls. The Pilgrims tried to retake the lead on a power play opportunity shortly after, but Montgomery saved both NEC's shots to keep the contest tied at two. Both teams were called for a penalty, 7:24 into the period, and NEC was able to take advantage as Meadow Gilchrist scored for the Pilgrims 10 seconds into the 4-on-4 play. Ai Chung entered the net for the Owls following NEC's third goal and made three saves the rest of the period for KSC. KSC had two power play opportunities through the remainder of the period, but Lallier-Whissell kept the Owls out of the back of the net for the remainder of the period as NEC took a 3-2 lead into the final 20 minutes of play.
 
Both teams traded power play opportunities over the first 10 minutes of the final period, but neither of the teams was able to score. KSC had another power play opportunity at the 9:08 mark and then NEC had another penalty called on them 27 seconds later, which led to KSC's head coach Rob Morgan calling a timeout to go over the Owls' plan for the 5-on-3. 58 seconds after the timeout, Finke scored her second of the game to even it up at three apiece with 9:27 left to play. KSC took their first lead of the game 17 seconds later as Paige Henault sent a pass over to Owen just inside the blue line, who sent a wrister past Lallier-Whissell and into the back of the net for the Owls for their second consecutive power play goal. Two minutes later, KSC tried to add an insurance goal with another power play opportunity, but Ava Iantosca hit the pipe on a shot, to go with Patrick, Henault, and Grace Bazin each having a shot saved by Lallier-Whissell to kill off the penalty for the Pilgrims. The Owls' defense locked down the Pilgrims the rest of the way in the contest and they did not record another shot on goal the rest of the way. The Pilgrims pulled Lallier-Whissell as they were down by a goal with 1:08 remaining and with just 33 seconds remaining in the game, Owen put the final main in the coffin by scoring the empty-netter for the program's first hat trick and to give KSC the 5-3 win for the weekend sweep over the Pilgrims.
 
"The team really stuck together and found a way to grind out a road win to get the sweep. I'm incredibly proud of the way our power play and penalty kill played in the game," said Morgan. "We had to make some key goals in some key times and we had to make a goalie change and Chung came in and made some key saves when they were pushing back."
 
"Owen really stepped up and finished off some great scoring opportunities to earn the program's first hat trick and her own first collegiate hat trick. I really like where we're at, at this time, as we head into winter break. We have to go do well on our finals next week, enjoy our break, and get back to work for the start of the second half of our season."
 
Inside the Crease

• Montgomery and Chung combined for 19 saves for KSC in the win, while Lallier-Whissell made 30 saves for the Pilgrims.
• NEC recorded nine penalties on the day, compared to just four from KSC.
• Finke finished with four points, as she had a pair of each goals and assists, while Owen recorded three goals for her second multi-goal game of the season, along with scoring the eventual game-winner in back-to-back games for the Owls.
• Emma Wiseman led the day for KSC with a pair of blocked shots, while six others recorded one each.
• After KSC dominated in the faceoff circle going 38-for-51 on Friday, NEC had the narrow advantage on Saturday, as the Pilgrims went 27-for-55.

Up Next
Keene State next plays at Vermont State Castleton in the Bagley Invitational on Friday, January 3, at a time TBD.
NEC will also play their next game on Friday, January 3, but at 6:00 PM, as they will host Anna Maria College.